Characterization of microsatellites in the mountain plant Armeria caespitosa (Plumbaginaceae) and transferability to congeners.

Premise Of The Study: The focus of this study is to develop microsatellite markers in Armeria caespitosa, a narrow endemic of central Spain. Microsatellite loci are sought to clarify population structure and estimate gene flux among populations.

Methods And Results: Enriched microsatellite genomic libraries were used for microsatellite isolation. Sixteen microsatellite loci were characterized, eight of which can be used for successful genotyping. Allele number ranged from two to seven per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.300 to 0.800 and from 0.296 to 0.733, respectively. Cross-amplification of seven and six loci was successful for A. maritima and A. cantabrica, respectively.

Conclusions: These microsatellites are suitable in the study of population genetics and gene flow among A. caespitosa populations. The information provided by these markers may be useful in the study of this plant's response to global warming.